Don’t Bomb Iran

In the first Democrat presidential candidates’ debate, Senator Barack Obama spoke of not taking any options off the table with Iran, and demonstrated his ignorance of the facts:  ” … they’re in the process of developing it [nuclear weapons], and I don’t think that’s disputed by any experts”.  Kuchinich responded that “it is disputed”, and called to end wars for oil;  Veteran senator Gravel advocated talking to Iran,  and called the US the “greatest violator of the Non-Proliferation Treaty”.

Full text of the April 26 2007 debate is here , relevant text is below, and a longer commentary on Gravel’s contribution is  here
REP. KUCINICH: ..My good friend, Senator Obama, that’s a very provocative statement. You previously said that all options are on the table respect to Iran. And I think that it’s important for people to reflect on the real meaning of that, that you’re setting the stage for another war.

I think it’s important that we move away from global warming and global warring. And the connection is oil. We’re in Iraq for oil. We’re looking at attacking Iran for oil. And until we change our international policies, which — quit using war as an instrument of policy – and change our energy policies …– we will continue to repeat this sorry cycle.

SEN. OBAMA: I think it would be a profound mistake for us to initiate a war with Iran. But have no doubt, Iran possessing nuclear weapons will be a major threat to us –

REP. KUCINICH: They do not — (off mike) –

SEN. OBAMA: — and to the region. I understand that.But they’re in the process of developing it, and I don’t think that’s disputed by any experts. They are the largest state sponsor of terrorism, Hezbollah and Hamas.

REP. KUCINICH: It is disputed by — it is disputed.

SEN. OBAMA: And — and there is no contradiction, Dennis, between –

REP. KUCINICH: It is disputed.Senator Gravel, 30 seconds, please.

….

MR. GRAVEL: With respect to Iran, we’ve sanctioned them for 26 years. We’ve scared the bejesus out of them when the president says they’re evil. Well, you know something? These things don’t work, they don’t work. We need to recognize them. And you know something, who is the greatest violator of the Non-Proliferation Treaty? The United States of America. We signed a pledge that we would begin to disarm, and we’re not doing it. We’re expanding our nukes. Who the hell are we going to nuke?